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When To Add A Companion???

Sadie

Sadie

Wife, Mother, Nana, Daughter, Sister, Friend, Whip
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As those who have been following Jacques progress will know, we have been without Sam for 2 months now.

Jacques showed dreadful signs of separation anxiety to begin with, but with patience, and the help if those herbal drops, he is much, much better.

He still barks at other dogs from a distance, but up close he is quiet as a lamb. He now greets human walkers more positively too. Overall at 60% improvement

At 3 yrs old, I would hate to think Jacques has to spend the rest of his life without a doggy companion but my OH thinks we have done our "bit" where dogs are concerned, and won't consider adding to our very small household.

I have done some online scouting around and found a bedlington/whippet litter of 6 weeks with 3 brindle bitches. I would love a small lurcher, and one of these girlies sounds perfect. We have a large crate and a very large garden, and are surrounded by fields, so exercise isn't a problem.

I wouldn't introduce another boy, as Jacques would def. feel put out!! What do other K9 members think of bringing a companion into Jacques life and what sort of age would you consider?

Sadie x
 
If you have the time to spend on a pup I would go for it !

Would love a beddie whippet myself but with already having 4 dogs don't think OH would agree !

If you go for it pics are compulsory !!!!!!!!
 
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I have found a super litter of belington/whippet pups and am waiting for pics of any bitches they may have. OH is warming slowly although he says it will be like having a baby around all over again...mmmm quite!!

Will keep you posted. http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/106457209/lurcher-pups.html

Do you think Jacques will bond quite easily with a 3 month pup?? We certainly left it too late getting Jacques as Sam was 10 when we got him. I feel he would improve with a companion but hubby says he has us!!!! :rant:

Sadie x
 
Jacques may not bond straight away with a pup . He may well want nothing to do with it and this is quite usual in my experience . However at 3 years old he is certainly young enough to accept a pup and will eventually bond with it . The main thing is not to expect too much too soon and give him time to get used to the pup . While he is getting used to it give him the chance to get away from it . Don't try to rush things just let him take his time . I would be very surprised if his life is not improved by having a little sister :huggles:

Just looked at the pups . I love that little really rough haired one o:)
 
The girlie I have my eye on is in the middle! I will try to upload a pic the guy sent. Just have to get my OH on board! :>

Sadie x
Gypsy.jpg
 
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Oh my goodness, I see what you mean ! She is very cute ! Let me know if you get her ???????????
 
When we first got Jacques at 5 months old. he was a typical giddy whippet! We had to crate him 2-3 times a day for 1/2 hour to 1 hour to give Sam a chance to rest. Sam never, ever got cross with him, and the boys even shared the same dish, up until Sam went onto pain killers.I haven't really noticed a drop in doggie care, except clearing up, and that we put down the main drain with plenty of Jeyes anyway. We have a large garden and could easily make a long, narrow dog - run out of one shingled flower bed. This would only be for 1 year or until Gypsy o:) settled.Hubby says we are free now, but how can you be free with a huge love of hounds and one big gap in Jacques life?? I have promised to clear up the garden and do the feeds - both early and late so apart from helping with exercise, I can't see the problem. He has his metal detecting - I should have my longed for lurcher!Wish me luck girls!Sadie x
 
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I have the same problem here . OH loves golf and plays a lot as well as socialising with his golf buddies . I love my dogs and I do everything for them . I get up at 6am and they have their main walk of the day and my whole day revolves around them . Someone in a group of 6 people once said to me , my you have a lot of dogs (4) . I replied , you have a lot of people . I am usually on my own with my dogs and yet OH just doesn't understand . I have had to fight to get every one and yet once they are here he likes them as long as he doesn't have to do much for them . So my advice is if you want this girl persuade your husband to agree to you getting her . If you can give her the best life possible then go for it . To me if you have one dog you might as well have two, once you get past the puppy stage the walks are the same anyway .

I love the name Gypsy too
 
Thanks for sharing that Hulu.

We have only once been without hounds in 28 years, and that for 7 months. The house was too quiet and tidy!!! We had Sam from the Rescue at 7 months old and enjoyed an idyllic time with him until he was 18 months old, when the disease reared its ugly head. We nursed him back from that, until nature took over 2 months ago.

Jacques has always favoured me above the rest of the family (2 adult sons & OH) but loves everyone. Since Sam's passing he has stuck to me like glue, which is one reason i want to get a companion for him. Some sweet tempered lurcher girlie to play with and grow into middle and old age with - like us!! (I'm 63 hubby is 68)

BUT Jacques had bad habits like eating Sam's poo. And of course 2 mouths to feed are a little more costly. Then you have the jabs etc. All in all, I think I am on a hiding to nothing but something in me keeps saying Jacques would be much happier/calmer/contented with a canine companion.

I mustn't labour this as OH is getting really stressed, so best to leave it a while. I am hoping the breeder will hold on to her for a few days though... o:)

Thanks for your encouragement

Sadie x
 
She's lush, i was looking for a whippy/beddy when i spotted Gladys :*
 
Well, you ladies need to get my OH by the scruff of his neck and tell him what a good idea this little sister would be! o:) :rant: :sweating: LOL!

Sadie x
 
I've always adored Beddy x Whippets. :wub:

We now have two whippet girls. When we got Dolly as a puppy, we already had Bobby (Collie x) who was then five years old. They got on well and we had no problems. It took a lot of persuading of my OH to get a second dog but he adores Dolly now!!

When Dolly was three I finally nagged OH into allowing a second whippet. (I actually wrote him a letter because he just wouldn't have any conversation about it at all). I made comments such as "I'm not getting any younger and I only have one life to live" plus he has his interests too.

So Remmy came into our lives at nearly a year old, so she was already housetrained and very well behaved. They are now 6 and 8 and get on very well, nearly always sharing the same bed. Sadly we lost Bobby earlier this year at 13+ years.

I feel that two dogs are pretty easy - if you walk one you can walk two. One is already a tie, so another one doesn't really make any difference. Obviously there is the expense to consider, but you have already had that before. I like the fact they have each other's company if we are out, and they play and run together (although not so much now as they get older). I probably won't ever have three dogs again, but hope I will always be able to have two whippets while I am fit enough.

At three years old Jacques is still young, so I am sure he will enjoy a sister in his life once he is used to her.

Good luck. :luck: :luck:
 
Thank you Sarah. I appreciate your thoughts and memories.

Today my OH has been discussing the possible major issues we would have if one of us was ill or God forbid - died! He is quite a healthy 68 although he did have a stroke 8 years ago. I had a mini heart attack in Feb 2011 but am healthier now than for years since a change of life style and more exercise.

We have 4 grandchildren with number 5 nearly here so it isn't a case of menopausal madness! I truly am thinking of Jacques and his future contentment.

I have to leave it in God's hands as only He knows the right path for us all.

Thanks again. x ;)
 
Sadie, have you considered an older rescue bitch? It would be a lot easier than a puppy, and usually they have been fostered first which gives a better idea about temperament etc. You would be able to introduce them on neutral ground initially to see if first impressions are favourable, and then maybe meet a few times before making a decision.

Not wishing to put a damper on a puppy but I am 60 on Sunday and my OH will be 68 a few days later, and I feel we are now sadly a bit old in the tooth to consider a puppy ever again, as much as I would have loved another puppy one day. ;)

Good luck with whatever you decide. :luck:
 
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